yet another "figure it out" thread
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Milwaukee WI
Posts: 1,161
yet another "figure it out" thread
and for the guys who already know the answer to this, don't spoil it for everyone else please.
You have a 3 gallon container and a 5 gallon container. Neither of the containers are symmetrical nor are they marked in any way. They are both oddly shapped but hold exactly their respective number of gallons when filled to the brim. With your life on the line,thetask is to go to the well and bring back exactly 4 gallons of water. This is not a trick question, it's just math.
You have a 3 gallon container and a 5 gallon container. Neither of the containers are symmetrical nor are they marked in any way. They are both oddly shapped but hold exactly their respective number of gallons when filled to the brim. With your life on the line,thetask is to go to the well and bring back exactly 4 gallons of water. This is not a trick question, it's just math.
#2
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Milwaukee WI
Posts: 1,161
RE: yet another "figure it out" thread
Here's an ideato help start you out withon how to go about this...
If you fill the 3 gal containerthen empty it into the 5 gal, you now have 3 gallons of water inside the 5 gal container. It doesn't have to happen with this exact sequence as a starting pointbut if it did, how would you obtain the missing gallon to add to the existing 3 to make the 4 that you need?
This is life or death now guys. C'mon, think and live or don't and die!!!
If you fill the 3 gal containerthen empty it into the 5 gal, you now have 3 gallons of water inside the 5 gal container. It doesn't have to happen with this exact sequence as a starting pointbut if it did, how would you obtain the missing gallon to add to the existing 3 to make the 4 that you need?
This is life or death now guys. C'mon, think and live or don't and die!!!
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 234
RE: yet another "figure it out" thread
1) Fill the 3gallon from the 5gal leaving exactly 2gal in the 5gal container.
2) Dump the 3gal.
3) Put the 2 gallons that remain into the empty 3gal container.
4) Refill the 5gal container and fill the 3gal container that has 2 gallons in it.
5) This leaves exactly 4 gallons in the 5gal container.
Bob
2) Dump the 3gal.
3) Put the 2 gallons that remain into the empty 3gal container.
4) Refill the 5gal container and fill the 3gal container that has 2 gallons in it.
5) This leaves exactly 4 gallons in the 5gal container.
Bob
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: York,Pa
Posts: 2,645
RE: yet another "figure it out" thread
Well I would fill the 3 gallon bucket and empty it in the 5 gallon bucket fill the 3 gallon bucket again and then put in what you need to fill the 5 gallon bucket mark your 3 gallon bucket with the remaining water which would be a gallon dump the 5 gallon bucket out put the 1 gallon in thats remaining in the 3 gallon bucket fill the 3 gallon bucket again and dump it in the 5 gallon bucket and BAM you got 4 gallons!
#5
RE: yet another "figure it out" thread
fill 3 gallon empty into 5 gallon fill 3 gallon empty into 5 gallon 1 gallon left in 3 gallon container empty 5 gallon put the 1 gallon in the 5 gallon fill 3 gallon and put in the 5 gallon container I believe 4 gallons is should be in there.
#8
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Milwaukee WI
Posts: 1,161
RE: yet another "figure it out" thread
Well, you guys are definitely smarter than me or at least better at visualizing this 'cause I posted this and in 10-15 min we already hadboth right answers. When I was first asked this it took me a half hour to figure it out.
Either the aboveor you already knew andwere just claiming your undeserved glory! LOL jk, honor system here... good job guys!
Either the aboveor you already knew andwere just claiming your undeserved glory! LOL jk, honor system here... good job guys!
#9
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Milwaukee WI
Posts: 1,161
RE: yet another "figure it out" thread
Ooooh just thought of this...
Now, let's say the containers are perfectly symmetrical - either cylinders or like a box. How then would there be a third way to do it?
Now, let's say the containers are perfectly symmetrical - either cylinders or like a box. How then would there be a third way to do it?